Carton for refrigerated consumable products

ABSTRACT

A closeable carton and blank for forming the carton. The carton has cooperating tabs and fingers for releasably locking together a pair of walls for closing the carton. Hinged flaps are provided in one wall adjacent the locking fingers which enable the said flaps to be pivoted to a position allowing access to said fingers for locking and unlocking said walls. The carton also includes cooperating, spaced apart inner and outer side walls providing an air cell or space therebetween of truncated triangular cross section so as to achieve greater side wall strength.

United States Patent [191 Partain Dec.9, 1975 CARTON FOR REFRIGERATED [73] Assignee: Stone Container Corporation, Chicago, Ill.

22 Filed: July 11, 1974 21 Appl. No.: 487,625

[52] US. Cl. .1 229/39 R; 229/45; 229/34 HW [51] Int. Cl. B651) 5/02 [58] Field of Search 229/34 HW, 34, 36, 33, 229/45, 39

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,331,754 l0/1943 Wohlers 229/45 X 2,361,124 10/1944 Ringholz 229/39 R X 2,398,797 4/1946 Meyer et al 229/39 R 2,663,485 12/1953 Johnson 1 229/45 X 2,764,336 9/1956 White 229/34 R X 2,933,229 4/1960 Bensel 229/45 X 2,963,211 12/1960 lAgler 229/34 HW 3,140,813 7/1964 Hall et al. 229/39 R 3,357,630 12/1967 Michelitsch 229/45 Primary Examiner-Davis T. Moorhead Attorney, Agent, or FirmSilverman & Cass, Ltd.

[57] ABSTRACT A closeable carton and blank for forming the carton. The carton has cooperating tabs and fingers for releasably locking together a pair of walls for closing the carton. Hinged flaps are provided in one wall adjacent the locking fingers which enable the said flaps to be pivoted to a position allowing access to said fingers for locking and unlocking said walls.

The carton also includes cooperating, spaced apart inner and outer side walls providing an air cell or space therebetween of truncated triangular cross section so as to achieve greater side wall strength.

12 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures US. Patent Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,924,801

US, Patent Dec. 9, 1975 Sheet4 0f4 3,924,801

CARTON FOR REFRIGERATED CONSUMABLE PRODUCTS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates primarily to closeable paperboard cartons formed from a single blank having novel cooperating locking means operable between a pair of carton walls for gaining access to and from the carton. The invention also provides for novel side wall formations providing unexpected strength thereat Closeable cartons formed from single blanks of paperboard material having a cover or closure wall hingedly attached along only one edge thereof to a wall of the carton are well known. Various locking means for connecting the cover or closure wall to a second or mating wall of the carton for releasably locking the car ton are well known also. One such locking means consisted of locking fingers or tabs attached to or formed in the closure wall and mating walls and which could be inserted in or attached to an adjoining or mating wall for releasably locking the closed carton. When the carton was thus closed these locking fingers or tabs generally were either not accessible because they were positioned in the interior of the carton or exposed, manipulable portions thereof were flush with the carton walls. In either case, it was inconvenient and difficult to handle the locking fingers or tabs and repeated manipulation thereof frequently distorted and/or damaged them sufficiently to render the locking means inoperative or inadequately effective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION There is provided a closeable carton formed from a single paperboard blank. The carton has a cover or closure wall hingedly joined thereto. Said closure wall has a free edge and locking tabs are formed therein adja cent the free edge. The carton has a second wall arranged to be mated with the closure wall when the carton is closed. Locking fingers are formed in the second wall which are located to mate with the locking tabs on the closure wall for releasably closing the carton. Also, hinged flaps are formed in the second wall adjacent the locking fingers. These hinged flaps are integral with the second wall and may be pivoted outwardly of said second wall for allowing access to the locking fingers so that they can be attached to and detached from the locking tabs.

The carton also includes side walls having inner and outer panels cooperating to form an air cell or space therebetween. The inner panel is arranged angularly relative to the outer panel in the setup of said side walls so as to achieve an air cell of relatively triangular cross section with the apex at the bottom of the carton for achieving desirable added strength.

The carton embodying the invention is especially suitable for packaging and transporting heavy, consumable products. Consequently, the products may require refrigeration and this carton is suitable for such exposures as well.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view of the blank from which the carton embodying the invention is formed;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing initial partial folding of the blank for forming the carton;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of said blank shown in a folded condition progressive from that of FIG. 2 for forming the carton;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of said blank shown in a folded condition progressive from that of FIG. 3 for forming the carton;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the folded blank as seen in FIG. 4 with additional folding for erecting the carton shown;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the fully erected carton;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the locking tabs of the carton shown in FIG. 6; and

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6 and in the direction indicated generally.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The single or unitary blank for forming the carton is identified generally by the reference number 10 in FIG. 1. Blank 10 has a plurality of hingedly connected together panels which form the various walls of the carton. Blank 10 is divided into a first portion 12 and second and third portions 14- and 14a which are mirror images of one another. Since portions 14 and are the same, only the blank portion 14 will be described in detail. Corresponding elements in the second blank portion 14a are identified with the same reference number and the appended subscript (a).

First portion 12 includes a rectangular-shaped panel 16 which in the embodiment shown is the bottom wall panel. The bottom wall panel 16 is defined in first portion 12 by fold lines 18 and 26 which extend parallel to one another and the parallel edges 22 and 24 which intersect fold lines 18 and 26.

A rectangular-shaped panel 26 is hingedly connected at the fold line 26 and is defined by parallel fold lines 20 and 28 and parallel fold lines 36 and 32 which intersect fold lines 26 and 28. In the embodiment shown, panel 26 is a side panel. Fold lines 30 and 32 in side panel 26 are spaced slightly closer together than free edges 22 and 24 in bottom wall panel 16 in order to facilitate folding and overlapping of the various panels.

A second side panel 34 is hingedly connected at the fold line 18 to bottom panel 1.6. Second side panel 34 is defined by fold line 18 and free edge 36 which extend parallel to one another and crease lines 38 and 40 which are parallel. Crease line 38 is connected with free edge 36 via free edges 42 and 44, and free edge 36 is connected to crease line 40 via free edges 46 and 48. Crease lines 38 and 40 are spaced slightly closer to one another than are free edges 22 and 24 of bottom wall panel 16 in order to facilitate folding the second side panel 34.

A fold line 50 extends across second side panel 34 parallel to fold line 18 and free edge 36, dividing second side panel 34 into two sections. Locking fingers 52, as seen in FIG. 7, are cut from second side panel 34 forming a cutout in side panel 34 divided into two portions 54 and 56 by fold line 50. The fingers 52 are hingedly connected to second side panel 34 at crease line 58.

Integral hinged flaps 60 are formed from the second side panel 34 adjacent fingers 52. Each integral hinged flap 60 is defined by two free edges 62 and 64 which intersect at one end and by a perforated line 66 which intercepts free edges 62 and 64 at their other ends and hingedly connects flap 60 to the remainder of side portion 34. Free edge 62 is located adjacent a free edge of first portion 56 on finger 52, and free edge 64 is one edge of a slot 68 cut in second side panel 34 adjacent fold line 50 and extending on each side of fingers 52 adjacent the cutout in second side panel 34.

A rectangular closure wall or panel 74 is hingedly connected by the fold line 28 to the first side panel 26. Panel 74 is defined by fold line 28 and free edge 76 which are parallel and parallel free edges 78 and 80.

Locking tabs 82 are formed on top panel 74 adjacent free edge 76.

Second portion 14 of blank includes a rectangular panel 84 which forms a third side wall of the carton. Wall 84 is defined by fold line 30 and free edge 86 which are parallel and parallel score lines 88 and 90. A finger grip opening 92 is cut in side wall panel 84.

A rectangular panel 94, which in the embodiment shown is a first internal bottom panel, is hingedly connected at the fold line 88 to the side wall panel 84. Panel 94 is defined by score line 88 and free edge 96 which are parallel with score line 88 and parallel free edges 98 and 100 which intercept free edge 96 and score line 88 to form a rectangular panel.

Another panel 102, which in the embodiment shown includes the interior side panels, is hingedly connected at the fold line 90 to third side wall panel 84. Interior side panel 102 is defined by score line 90 and free edge 104 extending parallel to score line 90 and free edges 106 and 108 extending parallel to one another and intersecting free edge 104 and score line 90 to form a rectangular wall. Interior side panel 102 includes a portion 110 which is the interior side wall top portion and is defined by score lines 90 and 112. A second portion 114 of side panel 102, which is the first interior side portion, is defined by free edges 106 and 108, score line 112 and a perforated line 116. Finger holes 117 also are cut in this second portion. A third portion 118 of the interior side panels 102, which in the embodiment shown is the bottom interior side portion, is defined by perforated lines 1 16 and 120. Tabs 122 are cut from this portion 118. A fourth portion 124 of interior side panel 102, which is the second interior side portion, is defined by perforated line 120 and free edges 104, 106 and 108. A hand slot 126 also is cut in portion 124.

Second portion 14 of blank 10 further includes a panel 128 which in the embodiment shown is a third interior side panel. Panel 128 is defined by a crease line 40, and free edge 130 extending parallel to one another, and free edge 132 and perforated line 134 extending parallel to one another. Perforated line 134 intersects crease line 40 and free edge 130 and free edge 132 intersects free edge 130 and a free edge extension of crease line 40. Panel 128 is divided into three portions 136, 138, and 140, which, respectively, are the first, second and third portions of third interior side panel 128. First portion 136 is defined by free edge 132 and perforated line 142, free edge 130, and the free edge extension of crease line 40. Second portion 138 is defined by the space between perforated lines 142 and 144 and third portion 140 is defined by the space between perforation lines 144 and 146. A hand slot 147 also is cut in third portion 140.

A panel 148, which in the embodiment shown is the second internal bottom panel, is hingedly connected at perforation line 134 to the panel 128. Panel 148 is de- 4 fined by free edges 150, 152, and and perforation line 134.

To assemble the carton 160 seen in FIG. 6, third side walls 84 and 84a are folded upwardly along fold lines 30 and 32 respectively as shown in FIG. 2. First internal bottom panels 94 and 94a are folded inwardly at score lines 88 and 88a and second internal side portions 124 and 124a are folded against first internal side portions 114 and 114a along perforation lines 116 and 120 exposing tabs 122. Progressive folding of blank 10 will be described in connection with FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5.

With the carton thus partially folded, first side panel 26 is folded upwardly along fold line 20 so that first internal bottom panels 94 and 94a seat on bottom wall panel 16. Third interior side panels 128 and 128a are now folded upwardly along crease lines 40 and 38 respectively, and portions 136, 136a, 138, 138a and 148 and 1480 are folded inwardly towards one another. Second side panel 34 is now folded upwardly along fold line 18 so that second interior bottom panels 148 and 148a seat on first interior bottom panels 94 and 94a respectively. Interior side panel portions 102 and 102a can now be folded along fold lines 112 and 112a, and interior side top portions 110 and 110a may be folded along score lines 90 and 90a until tabs 122 and 122a are inserted into slots 154 and 154a respectively. The side and bottom walls of the structure have now been formed together and locked in place.

-Referring to FIG. 8, bottom panels 16, 94 and 148 overlap one another. Third side wall 84 and third portion of third interior side panel 128 are engaged together to form a strong exterior layer 162 of the carton 160. First interior side portion 114 and second interior side portion 124 of interior side panel 102, and their mirror images 114a and 124a are folded over together to form a strong interior wall 164. Interior side top portion 110 and second portion 138 of third interior side panel 128 are seated against one another to form a strong interior wall 166 at the upper end of the side wall structure. Bottom interior side portion 118 seated on bottom panels 16, 94 and 148 forms a strong, bottom layer which separates the exterior and interior layers 162 and 164 at the bottom of the side walls. The air space or cell 168 formed between interior and exterior layers 164 and 162 provides for additional strength and can act as an insulation and vapor barrier in a wellknown manner.

It should be noted that composite walls 162 and 164 are canted one relative to the other or convergent toward the bottom of the carton. Thus, air cell 168 is triangular in cross-section from top to bottom of the side wall formation of the carton so as to provide additional strength at the top 166.

To close the carton, the panel 170 is folded inwardly initially. Locking tabs 82 are folded at right angles to top or closure wall 74 exposing slots 172. Panel 74 is folded downwardly along fold line 28 to a position overlying panel 170. Flaps 60 are pivoted outwardly along perforation lines 66 allowing access to portions 56 of locking fingers 52. Second portions 56 are then pivoted outwardly along crease line 58, allowing second portion 54 to be drawn out of the interior of carton 160. When the portion 54 has been fully withdrawn, tabs 82 can be inserted into slots 68 so that closure wall 74 mates with side wall 34 and seats on panel 170. Second portions 54 of fingers 52 can now be passed through slots 172 in tabs 82 into the carton until second portion 56 is flush with side wall 34 and second portion 54 is bearing against the interior surface of top wall 74 and is coplanar with interior top edge 170. This interlocking type of structural arrangement adds great structural rigidity to the closed carton 160. Integral hinged flaps 60 can now be pivoted back to their original positions flush with the remaining portions of side wall 34 in order to complete the closure of side wall 34 and provide a smooth or flush side wall which facilitates stacking of cartons 160.

In order to unlock and open carton 160, hinged flaps 60 can be pivoted outwardly along perforated line 66 exposing the side edges of first portion 56 of sealing fingers 52. Sealing fingers 52 may be grasped and pivoted about crease line 58 in order to fully withdraw second portion 54 from the carton and slot 172 in tab 82. With first portions 54 of sealing fingers 52 fully withdrawn, sealing tabs 82 may be withdrawn from slots 68 and wall 74 withdrawn to open the carton.

Physical measurements for the carton have not been specified. However, the carton herein concerned is suitable for storage of food products requiring refrigeration, such as poultry and meat. The handholes provided allow for desired circulation of air through the carton. The double side wall thickness provides desired strength for stacking and handling. Also are to be noted, the great strength achieved at the side walls of the carton for the reasons stated. The unique locking means provided eliminates the need for gluing or stapling or other mechanical means for assuring proper closure of the carton yet providing for re-opening and closing thereof and without damaging the locking means.

What it is desired to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

l. A paperboard carton formed from a unitary blank including:

a. an upwardly opening tray having a closure wall hingedly connected along the edge of a first wall of the tray, b. said closure wall having at least one locking tab depending from a free edge thereof, c. said tray having a second wall transverse to said closure wall and arranged to be releasably locked therewith for closing the carton, said second wall having at least one locking finger integral therewith having a first portion pivotally attached thereto which is movable to a position flush with said second wall and a second portion extending transverse to said first portion into the interior of carton and adapted to cooperably engage said locking tab for releasably locking the carton in a closed condition,

said second wall having integral hinged flaps adjacent said first portion arranged to be pivoted to a position exposing said locking finger sufficiently to permit same to be manually gripped when flush with the second wall, thereby enabling said finger to be moved relative to the tab for locking and unlocking the closure and second walls one relative to the other.

2. The carton of claim 1 wherein said locking tab is hingedly connected to said closure wall along a fold line and extends transverse to said closure wall, said locking tab having a slot therethrough arranged to receive said second part of the locking finger.

3. The carton of claim 1 wherein said second wall includes a third wall part and a fourth part one adjacent the other and separated by a first fold line, said fourth part being transverse to said third part, said locking finger being struck from said second wall so as to form a cutout therein with said first portion hingedly attached to said third part at one end of said finger, said first portion extending to a second fold line substantially co-linear with said first fold line, said second portion extending from said second'fold line to a free edge thereof in the interior of said carton.

4. The carton of claim 3 wherein said first fold line is cut through a predetermined distance adjacent said finger forming a slot.

5. The carton of claim 4 wherein said flaps have a first free edge of said third part adjacent said finger first portion, said first free edge being an edge of said cutout, a second free edge of said third part forming one side of said slot a predetermined distance adjacent said finger and intersecting said first free edge at one end, and a line or reduced strength extending between the other ends of said first and second free edges.

6. The carton of claim 3 wherein said closure wall overlies said third wall part in the closed condition of the carton.

7. The carton of claim 4 wherein said locking tab is engaged in said slot and said cutout and said finger is engaged through said tab.

8. The carton of claim 1 wherein said tray has a pair of opposite side walls of substantially identical construction, each side wall extending between said closure wall and wall opposite said closure wall and formed of a pair of side wall layers spaced one from the other and divergent toward said closure wall to provide a cell space of generally triangular cross section.

9. A closeable carton of rectangular configuration formed of paperboard and including, a first wall having a first edge hingedly connected to a second wall and at least one second edge having locking tabs secured thereto, a third wall positioned in a plane transverse to the plane of said first wall and adapted to be mated with said first wall for closing said carton, said third wall having locking fingers formed therein each having a first portion hingedly secured to said third wall and adapted to be seated flush with the plane thereof, and a second portion secured to said first portion and extending transverse to said first portion in the interior of said carton, said second portion adapted to be mated with said tabs when said carton is closed, and flaps formed in said third wall adjacent said first portion and hingedly attached to said third wall at a first fold line for allowing access to said finger first portion whereby said fingers first portion can be pivoted for releasably interlocking said fingers and tabs.

10. The carton of claim 9 wherein said fingers are struck from said third wall so as to form a cutout in said third wall defined by edges of said third wall, said flaps having a first free edge adjacent said finger first portion, said first free edge being a cutout edge, said flaps further having a second free edge extending transverse to said first free edge and intercepting said first free edge at one end, said first fold line extending between the other ends of said first and second free edges.

11. The carton of claim 10 wherein said first and second free edges and said first fold line define a triangular-shaped flap.

12. The carton of claim 10 wherein said locking tabs extend transverse to said first wall and have slots formed therein, said finger second portions extending into said slots when said carton is closed. 

1. A paperboard carton formed from a unitary blank including: a. an upwardly opening tray having a closure wall hingedly connected along the edge of a first wall of the tray, b. said closure wall having at least one locking tab depending from a free edge thereof, c. said tray having a second wall transverse to said closure wall and arranged to be releasably locked therewith for closing the carton, said second wall having at least one locking finger integral therewith having a first portion pivotally attached thereto which is movable to a position flush with said second wall and a second portion extending transverse to said first portion into the interior of carton and adapted to cooperably engage said locking tab for releasably locking the carton in a closed condition, said second wall having integral hinged flaps adjacent said first portion arranged to be pivoted to a position exposing said locking finger sufficiently to permit same to be manually gripped when flush with the second wall, thereby enabling said finger to be moved relative to the tab for locking and unlocking the closure and second walls one relative to the other.
 2. The carton of claim 1 wherein said locking tab is hingedly connected to said closure wall along a fold line and extends transverse to said closure wall, said locking tab having a slot therethrough arranged to receive said second part of the locking finger.
 3. The carton of claim 1 wherein said second wall includes a third wall part and a fourth part one adjacent the other and separated by a first fold line, said fourth part being transverse to said third part, said locking finger being struck from said second wall so as to form a cutout therein with said first portion hingedly attached to said third part at one end of said finger, said first portion extending to a second fold line substantially co-linear with said first fold line, said second portion extending from said second fold line to a free edge thereof in the interior of said carton.
 4. The carton of claim 3 wherein said first fold line is cut through a predetermined distance adjacent said finger forming a slot.
 5. The carton of claim 4 wherein said flaps have a first free edge of said third part adjacent said finger first portion, said first free edge being an edge of said cutout, a second free edge of said third part forming one side of said slot a predetermined distance adjacent said finger and intersecting said first free edge at one end, and a line or reduced strength extending between the other ends of said first and second free edges.
 6. The carton of claim 3 wherein said closure wall overlies said third wall part in the closed condition of the carton.
 7. The carton of claim 4 wherein said locking tab is engaged in said slot and said cutout and said finger is engaged through said tab.
 8. The carton of claim 1 wherein said tray has a pair of opposite side walls of substantially identical construction, each side wall extending between said closure wall and wall opposite said closure wall and formed of a pair of side wall layers spaced one from the other and divergent toward said closure wall to provide a cell space of generally triangular cross section.
 9. A closeable carton of rectangular configuration formed of paperboard and including, a first wall having a first edge hingedly connEcted to a second wall and at least one second edge having locking tabs secured thereto, a third wall positioned in a plane transverse to the plane of said first wall and adapted to be mated with said first wall for closing said carton, said third wall having locking fingers formed therein each having a first portion hingedly secured to said third wall and adapted to be seated flush with the plane thereof, and a second portion secured to said first portion and extending transverse to said first portion in the interior of said carton, said second portion adapted to be mated with said tabs when said carton is closed, and flaps formed in said third wall adjacent said first portion and hingedly attached to said third wall at a first fold line for allowing access to said finger first portion whereby said fingers first portion can be pivoted for releasably interlocking said fingers and tabs.
 10. The carton of claim 9 wherein said fingers are struck from said third wall so as to form a cutout in said third wall defined by edges of said third wall, said flaps having a first free edge adjacent said finger first portion, said first free edge being a cutout edge, said flaps further having a second free edge extending transverse to said first free edge and intercepting said first free edge at one end, said first fold line extending between the other ends of said first and second free edges.
 11. The carton of claim 10 wherein said first and second free edges and said first fold line define a triangular-shaped flap.
 12. The carton of claim 10 wherein said locking tabs extend transverse to said first wall and have slots formed therein, said finger second portions extending into said slots when said carton is closed. 